Kosmos

Culture, travel, fashion and culinary delights: the Kosmos pages of Lufthansa Magazin bring you interesting and useful tidbits from around the world

Simply special

There are plenty of boutique hotels in Bangkok, but few can match the Riva Arun on Rattanakosin Island for location. From the roof terrace, you gaze down on the golden towers of Wat Arun and the royal palace, a stark contrast to the minimalist decor inside the hotel.

Simply sacred

A crumpled paper cube inspired the architects at S.M.A.O. to create a postmodern chapel in Spain. It is completely empty so that visitors can devote themselves to the effect of its quirky shape – and their faith.

Culture clash

The cherry blossom is the symbol of Japanese culture. Today, it is celebrated the world over.

Bento, beer & sake

The Japanese start celebrating the cherry blossom in late March with hanami, a traditional picnic in the park. Spots beneath the loveliest trees are highly coveted and often reserved with plastic tarps first thing in the morning.

North german privilege

Hamburg, Melbourne and Washington are the only cities outside of Japan that are permitted to crown an official cherry blossom princess. Hamburg, which has 5000 Japanese flowering cherry trees, puts on a grand firework display in May.

Southern belle

Macon, a small town in the U.S. state of Georgia, is the unofficial cherry blossom capital of the world. Starting in mid-March, it is engulfed in a sea of blossoms. The Cherry Blossom Festival includes concerts, parades and an air show.

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